Inexpensive Alternatives to Diamond Rings

You are one step closer to the aisle. Congratulations! Tradition dictates that you pop the question with a ring. With the variety of engagement rings in Singapore, how will you find the “perfect” one?

Diamonds are considered a classic choice for engagement rings. You see, diamonds are one of the strongest naturally occurring substances on earth and are capable of withstanding almost anything. It symbolizes the kind of commitment that comes with marriage. However, diamond rings may not be the best choice for everyone. If you are looking for a less expensive or a more unique engagement ring, you may consider a diamond alternative instead. Look at these five beautiful gemstones that can suit your partner’s taste!

#1: RUBY

Classic and bold are words that encapsulate the beauty of rubies. Ruby is the gemstone of love. Its visually pleasing color comes in shades of deep pink to red. It makes a wonderful contrast when paired with yellow or white metals.

Suitable for everyday wear, rubies are certainly durable. When it comes to its price, ruby is not as inexpensive as the other gemstones. Rubies are priced higher per carat than any other colored gems.

#2: MOISSANITE

In the past several years, moissanite has become increasingly popular as a diamond alternative. It not only resembles a diamond, but also sells at a fraction of the price of the diamond. Active brides can benefit from the durability of moissanite gemstones. After all, moissanites are the second hardest gemstone used in jewelry making today.

#3: AQUAMARINE

Looking for your “something blue”? Opt for a serene and elegant choice such as the light blue aquamarine. Part of the beryl family, aquamarine can be a beautiful family heirloom. Just ensure that you keep it separately from other jewels and polish it over the years. With its hardness rating of 7.5-8, aquamarine can be scratched by diamonds and sapphires.

#4: EMERALD

With its glistening green hue, emeralds are a gorgeous choice for an engagement ring. Emeralds are customizable. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to easily fit your dream ring.

Like aquamarine, emeralds have a hardness rating of about 7.5. Thus, it will require a little more attention and care when being stored or worn. The most appealing emeralds come in deep green with a highly transparent appearance.

#5: SAPPHIRE

Sapphire is a precious gemstone known for its elegance and durability. Sapphires are one of the hardest diamond alternatives and are ideal for everyday wear. It is made to last a lifetime. Moreover, there is less upkeep with these gemstones.

Sapphires are usually less expensive than diamonds of similar carat weight and shape. Because of this, white sapphires are highly sought after as an alternative to diamonds for engagement rings. Couples who are eager to maximize the size of the center stone while staying within a budget can opt for a sapphire.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As you start this life-changing journey, remember what the ring symbolizes for you and your partner. As J.W. Lord put into writing:

“A wedding ring is a symbol of commitment; a promise, a pledge, and a vow. The promise is to forsake all others, to stay devoted and true; the pledge is to honor that promise selflessly, to see the whole thing through; and the vow is to keep that pledge unwaveringly, until the days are few. It is a mutual agreement to become one instead of two.”

Sources: 1 & 2

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Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaners in Singapore, Under S$230

From robot vacuums to cordless vacuum cleaners, modern technology redefined how we achieve spotless floors! Cleaning your home became less of a chore with innovations such as these.

Let’s put a spotlight on cordless vacuum cleaners in Singapore. You do not have to worry about pulling a cord throughout the house because these are convenient and portable. It also operates with rechargeable batteries.

Cordless vacuum cleaners come in different shapes and sizes, but some of the best models in Singapore include the ones listed below.

#1: ELECTROLUX ALLERGY ERGORAPIDO BRUSH ROLL CLEAN CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER

Price: S$225 at Lazada Singapore
(Sale Price: S$204.47)

Electrolux Allergy Ergorapido’s name may be mouthful, but it is efficient. People with dust allergies can find this model beneficial as it comes with a filter that gets about 99.99% of micro dust. It claims that its “HEPA grade five-fold high filtration system effectively blocks secondary pollution”.

Image Credits: lazada.sg

Lastly, its charging time is four hours.

#2: AIRBOT SUPERSONICS PLUS CORDLESS PORTABLE VACUUM CLEANER

Price: S$149.90 at Airbot

Do not be fooled by its inexpensive price as Airbot Supersonics Plus is a portable handheld cordless vacuum cleaner that comes with several modes. It has an OLED display screen for clearer and easier monitoring of battery levels and vacuum modes. As a bonus, it looks aesthetically pleasing in deep red!

Image Credits: airbot.sg

Use its LED light for easier visibility under sofas and beds. In terms of power, Airbot Supersonics Plus is an upgraded 25 kPa model with a charging time of about 4 to 5 hours.

#3: ELUXGO LIGHTWEIGHT CORDLESS VACUUM EC19C

Price: S$68 at Lazada Singapore
(Sale Price: S$64)

Weighing in at only 0.84 kg, the Eluxgo EC19C is lighter than many laptops in today’s market. If you are always on-the-go and intend to use this vacuum cleaner while you travel, this extremely light tool is a lifesaver.

Image Credits: lazada.sg

As a friendly warning, Eluxgo has a weaker suction power and a shorter battery life compared to the other models on this list. It is sufficient for a university student that is looking for a device to clean his or her dormitory room.

4. DIBEA D18 CORDLESS VACUUM CLEANER

Price: S$135 at FairPrice

Dibea D18 is a powerful mid-range model that empowers up to 40 minutes of cleaning with 12,000 pa suction power. It comes with two cleaning modes to suit your needs. You can also access hard-to-reach corners with its wide floor brush and LED lights.

Image Credits: fairprice.com.sg

Take advantage of its 2-in-1 soft brush function that can clean floors as well as office carpets. Lastly, it is supported by HEPA multi-stage filtration system. Simply put, it is practical and flexible!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Importance of Elderly Care Services

a woman holding an elderly's hand

According to the World Health Organization, Singapore is one of the top countries with the longest life expectancy at birth. Singaporeans on average can expect to live up t0 80 to 84 years old, at least 20 years more than what was expected in 1960.

This is thanks to technological advancements in medicine and healthcare to which Singapore is praised for top-notch standards of medical practice and ranks fourth best in the world in terms of health infrastructure.

With Singaporeans living longer, health services such as Elderly Care services are provided to ensure Singaporeans can live comfortable and fulfilling lives even in their silver years.

What is Elderly Care?

Elderly Care are caregiving services offered by nursing homes, senior centres and other medical organizations. It also includes healthcare services and benefits from the government such as home therapy, respite care and visits to rehabilitation centres.

What are the kinds of Elderly Care Services?

Elderly Care can provide home-based and centre based medical care services such as the following:

Home Care

  •       Meals on Wheels
  •       Medical Escort and Transport
  •       Home Medical
  •       Home Therapy
  •       Home Nursing
  •       Home Personal Care
  •       Hospice Home Care
  •       Befriending Service

Centre Based Care

  •       Day Care
  •       Senior Activity Centre
  •       Community Rehabilitation Centre

Stay In Care

  •       Community Hospital
  •       Nursing Home
  •       Shelter and Senior Group home

 What does Elderly Care help with?

Elderly care allows seniors access to the services they need based on the care they require and their preferences. Elderly Care services provide assistance for people who need help with ADLs (activities of daily living) as well as IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living).

Caregiving and Nursing care are available for the elderly who need assistance with ADLs such as

  •       eating
  •       sleeping
  •       dressing up
  •       bathing
  •       toileting
  •       grooming
  •       walking

Elderly Care also assists seniors who may be dealing with a medical condition and cannot perform non-essential tasks such as IADLs:

  •       cooking meals
  •       taking medication
  •       housekeeping
  •       outdoor errands
  •       exercising
  •       shopping

What are the Benefits of Eldercare Services?

As the population gets older, the old-age support ratio declines.  This is a ratio of the number of people who are capable of providing economic support (aged 20-64) to the number of people who may be dependent on others’ support (aged 64 years and above). From 7.4 in 2010, it has gone down to 4. It means that for every elderly person, there are four people who can provide support.

With the increase of elderly in the population, there is also an increased need to support and provide care for them. Family members often take on the task of caregiving for their elderly loved ones.

However, in cases where the care recipient demands a greater level of care, caregivers may find themselves in a compromising position, especially if they have a job and a household to maintain. This pressure and stress may in turn lead to caregiver burnout.

Elder Care Services are put in place to alleviate that pressure and are meant to provide support, relief and peace of mind for caregivers and care recipients alike.

Independence from family members

Elder care services alleviate the stress and worry from both care recipients who might have fears of being a burden and family members who want to provide the best possible care for their elderly loved ones. These services allow elderly loved ones to have a sense of independence and gives family members peace of mind knowing their loved ones have access to the care they need.

Access to Care Services at Home

Elderly loved ones who prefer to live at home can avail of home care services. Meals on Wheels is available for elderly loved ones who have trouble buying or cooking their own food. Meanwhile Medical Escorts can accompany them to doctor’s appointments and provide transport going to and from the hospital.

For those who need specialized care, hiring a live-in caregiver can ensure they received the focused care and attention their conditions require.  Other medical services are also available such as Home Medical, Home Therapy, Home Personal Care and Hospice Home Care.

Support From Community Healthcare Programmes

There are a variety of centres that can offer short term and long-term care.

Day Care centres provide seniors with the opportunity to socialize and engage in recreational activities as well provide their caregivers support and momentary relief.

Meanwhile Community Rehabilitation provides therapy for seniors who are recovering from an injury and aids their recovery so they can regain their strength and resume their day-to-day activities

Nursing Homes on the other hand, provide long term support for patients who have chronic illnesses, disability or who might need help with activities of daily living. Nursing care is available round the clock to ensure professional care can be provided for your loved one when they need it.

Conclusion

Elderly care is designed to help people with disabilities, health conditions and mental illnesses and provide them access to the care they need. A variety of services can cater to the demands that are unique to your elderly loved one’s needs and preferences. Making the most of these services can provide a better quality of life for your loved one and also eases the burden on caregivers.

 

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Delicious CNY Goodies To Bring Home To Your Family Reunion

Apart from spending time with your family and collecting ang bao, eating scrumptious Chinese New Year (CNY) snacks brightens up the festivities. Usher in the Year of the Tiger with these roaring goodies from adorable tiger buns to classic pineapple tarts.

#1: IKEA SINGAPORE’S CNY OFFERINGS

From January 17 to February 28, IKEA Singapore will delight its guests aesthetically pleasing confections such as mala-infused dishes and tiger-themed buns. Try the Little Tiger Buns with Kaya Filling ($2), Mandarin Orange Chocolate Cake ($4), IKEA CNY Donuts ($7.80), and Plant Balls with Mala Spaghetti ($8). These goodies are available while stocks last.

Image Credits: ikea.com/sg

You can also take home their pre-packaged snacks including Bak Kwa ($23.80 for 500g) and Mandarin oranges ($11.80 for 24 pieces).

#2: RED SAKURA’S HELLO KITTY SNACKS

Good news for Hello Kitty fans! Taiwanese confectionary brand Red Sakura and its Hello Kitty snacks are available at selected stores in Singapore. Get your sun cakes and butter cookies at Prime Supermarket (Tampines branch) or at Shopee.

Image Credits: redsakura.com.tw

Keep your eyes peeled as some of the Red Sakura snacks come with Sanrio merchandise such as plates and mugs! For example, the Red Sakura Hello Kitty Mini Cookies tins are sold at $7.90 in Shopee. These come in assorted flavors including butter, chocolate, and earl grey.

#3: BEE CHENG HIANG’S BAK KWA

You can always count on Bee Cheng Hiang for a variety of CNY goodies such as pineapple tarts and golden floss rolls. But of course, it houses its sought-after dried meat product Bak Kwa.

This year’s selection starts from $34.80 for 600g of Minced Pork Bak Kwa, $37.20 for Chilli Pork Bak Kwa, and $43.20 for Applewood Sliced Pork Bak Kwa. Choose a flavor that suits your preferences. You can even go for the fancy Gourmet Pork Belly option.

Image Credits: beechenghiang.com.sg

Just add the delivery fee of $6 when ordering on their website.

#4: NASTY COOKIE’S S’MORES BITES

Nasty Cookies offers a twist to the CNY food slate with its S’mores Bites. Its S’mores Bites consist of buttery chocolate chip tarts, which are topped with rich chocolate spread and toasted marshmallows. Every bite has a mixture of chewiness, crunchiness, and sweetness.

Image Credits: nastycookie.com

S’mores Bites will be available online for $28.90, from January 17 onwards.

#5: FAIRPRICE’S PINEAPPLE TARTS

Another staple in every household during CNY is the delicious pineapple tarts. Pineapple tarts are rich, buttery pastry filled with pineapple jam. It is impossible to stop at just one piece, so you might want to purchase a few tubs for the party!

FairPrice has an array of pineapple tarts from various brands. Halal and Vegan options are also available. Prices start from $3.92. Check it out.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Happy Year of the Tiger, 2022! Celebrate the auspicious Lunar New Year with an assortment of takeaway delicacies and goodies in this list.

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Property trends to eye for in 2022

view of Singapore from a property

Folks who have been watching the property market, you would be fully aware of how prices have continued to rise for six consecutive quarters already.

The market’s consistent increase over the last 1.5 years is a solid indicator of property sellers’ unshakable optimism. While the rise in home prices is expected to continue, it is weakening, accompanied by a drop in transaction numbers.

According to analysts, the recent property cooling regulations would undoubtedly stifle house sales and price rise while severely limiting the en bloc market this year. New house sales in 2022 are likely to decline from the present 13,000 units to a normalized 9,000 to 10,000 units, due to a limited supply of new launches.

Dabbling in the property market in the new year? Here are the property trends to eye for in 2022.

Popularity away from the city

There will be a weakening of interest for homes in the central region as more Singaporeans become acclimated to teleworking or embracing a hybrid work arrangement. Instead, homes out of the city area will be in higher demand based on data from the PropertyGuru Singapore Market Index (PMI) Q4 2021.

“District 17 (Changi Airport, Changi Village) and 27 (Sembawang, Yishun) in the OCR, for example, recorded a 10.40 percent and 10.23 percent quarter-on-quarter growth to S$1,718.10 psf and S$1252.61 psf in Q3 2021, respectively,” said Dr Tan Tee Khoon, country manager at PropertyGuru Singapore.

Drop in demand for GCBs and penthouses
good-class-bungalow-gcb-singapore

Image Credits: 99.co

The demand for Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) soared last year, thanks to a wave of purchases by some of the most successful tech CEOs from Grab, Razer, and TikTok. Concurrently, penthouses were popular among property purchasers, despite exorbitant rates. Nonetheless, this trend will most likely slow down this year.

“The latest cooling measures are likely to moderate demand in the entire private residential market, including GCBs and penthouses. We can expect the volume of transactions of these properties to drop in the short term. If sellers are not under pressure, they may maintain their asking prices or withdraw the property from the market. On the other hand, buyers may not be bullish like in 2021, so their offers are likely to be cautious, which may not meet the price expectations of sellers,” noted Ong Teck Hui, senior director, research and consultancy at JLL Singapore.

Spacious homes will continue to trend upwards

Last year, demand for significantly larger residences grew as work from home and home-based learning became the new norm for the majority of the year. Even though more Singaporeans are now permitted to report back to work as our sunny island adopts an endemic stance to the epidemic, property analysts predict that this pattern will likely continue this year.

“With the pandemic, it has brought about an abrupt shift in the way people live and work. We foresee that working from home will continue to be a norm moving forward and that more buyers who seek new homes will look for ones that can accommodate a home office or study room. As such, homes that are spacious will continue to be well sought-after moving forward,” highlighted Ismail Gafoor, CEO of Propnex Realty.

More environmentally sustainable homes to cater to the eco-conscious
eco-friendly condo

Image Credits: edgeprop.sg

The pandemic has surprisingly raised awareness of the significance of living sustainably. Thus, new launches in 2021 featured a variety of eco-friendly characteristics in their construction.

This includes The Reef@King’s Dock, which is a short distance from VivoCity. It is our little red dot’s first floating deck in a residential complex, with 10 low-rise blocks strategically spaced to allow for better air circulation and to maximize spectacular views. Its star feature is probably the observation platform overlooking an underwater colony of aquatic life.

But that’s not all. Green walls, green spaces, a relaxation deck, and a hammock terrace are among the other outdoor amenities, which are supported by environmentally friendly features such as rainwater tanks, water-efficient auto-irrigation, reprocessing of gardening waste into landscaping fertilizer, and energy-efficient elevators and lighting configuration.

“Eco-friendly developments have and will continue to be a norm moving forward as people grow more environmentally conscious. In addition, with energy and water prices on the rise and with work from home mode continuing to persist, it has certainly increased the emphasis on having green features in homes such as energy-saving appliances and smart-cooling technology,” shared Propnex’s Gafoor.

As a buyer, you can anticipate developers to place a greater emphasis on designing more environmentally friendly structures to alleviate the effects of climate change and encourage green living. Green buildings are increasingly seen favorably and can even be perceived as markers of excellence and upscale living among the crowd since there has been a heavy focus on recycling and keeping a sustainable environment via awareness campaigns recently.

And before we go, we will leave you with some upcoming launches to watch out for this year:

  • Marina View by IOI Properties (along Marina View)
  • Belgravia Ace by Fairview Developments (along Belgravia Drive)
  • Liv @ MB by Bukit Sembawang Estates Limited (along Arthur Road)
  • Pollen Collection by Bukit Sembawang Estates Limited (along Nim Road)

Have a lovely start to 2022!

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